JPSO seeking two contractors for fraud

Gregory Huskey is wanted for contractor fraud by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.

Ricky Davis is wanted for contractor fraud by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office is seeking two men authorities say stole $12,000 from a Marrero man after the suspects promised to elevate his home.

Detective Todd Rivere has obtained arrest warrants for Gregory Huskey, 49, of 2933 St. Claude Ave. in New Orleans and Ricky Davis, 43, of 2933 St. Claude Ave. in New Orleans. Both men are wanted for contractor fraud. Davis already was on probation for multiple counts of theft, said Col. John Fortunato, a JPSO spokesman.

The two men are accused of stealing $12,000 from Ernest Gill of Marrero after contracting with him more than a year ago to raise his home, Fortunato said. Gill used insurance payments to enter into a contract with Celebrity Contractors Inc., a company the men claimed to represent.

However, despite entering into the contract in June 2010, no construction materials were ever delivered to Gill's home, and no work was begun. After numerous conversations with the contractors, Gill demanded a refund, minus any administrative fees, along with the blueprints for the work and a detailed listing of any money spent, Fortunato said.

Initially, the company told Gill that they would not be able to fulfill the contract and would return his money and release him from any contractual obligations. Then after never returning the money, the company sent another letter saying that the contract was still valid and that a lien had been filed against Gill's property, Fortunato said.

After investigating the matter, Rivere decided to obtain warrants for both Davis and Huskey for contractor fraud. Both men have prior criminal records, with arrests for theft, battery and misappropriation of contractor payments.

Anyone with information on the location of the two men can contact the Sheriff's Office at 504.364.5300 or Crimestoppers at 504.822.1111